Can't go there with you . . . "Esq." is a ridiculous affectation to which attorneys with little-man syndrome cling. (This includes female attorneys who think they have to act manly to get respect.)
If you are not a shield-bearer and attendant for a knight, you do not sign yourself Esq., because you are not an esquire.
It should go without saying that if you are a woman, you NEVER sign yourself Esq.
As perhaps you can tell, I despise pretentious lawyers; fortunately, the Esq. affectation is more a Northern thing than a Texas thing.
I've been doing depositions for over 20 years; I've NEVER seen it NOT done.
They don't want anyone to mistake them for lawyers.